Phenomenal Phytonutrients: Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Spices

Phenomenal Phytonutrients: Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, and Spices

Phenomenal Phytonutrients

Plant foods contain literally thousands of beneficial compounds, including macronutrients, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and phytonutrients (phyto means “plant”), protective chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants. Biochemist and Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Gyorgyi first discovered the tremendous power of a family of phytonutrients called flavonoids in 1936.

Thousands more phytonutrients have been discovered since 1936, most of which
are now known to be faithful defenders against all types of illness. Phytonutrients
abound in the fruits of some plants, in the leaves or stems of others, and in the skin
or white pith of still others. These phenomenal phytos act in a synergistic way with
other nutrients to regulate critical bodily functions, such as those controlled by the
liver and the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems. Choosing an artificialchemical–
free E4H plan takes full advantage of these phytonutrients in the form of
fruits, vegetables, and “booster” foods, such as herbs, spices, and seaweeds, which
are critical pieces in the puzzle of maintaining and restoring good health.

PLANT FOOD: YOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

We want to clearly emphasize that food is your best line of defense against
breast cancer and its spread. That said, due to biochemical individuality and a
history of insufficient micronutrient and phytonutrient intake, targeted
supplementation with specialized nutrients may provide valuable backup support.
However, we are aware that some folks believe they are getting an insurance policy
by washing down their fast food with a chaser of vitamins. This is not a winning
strategy! In fact, a report from the Department of Food Science, Cornell University,
asserts that “the additive and synergistic effects of phytochemicals in fruits and
vegetables are responsible for…potent antioxidant and anticancer activities and that
the benefit of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is attributed to the complex mixture
of phytochemicals present in whole foods” (Liu 2004).

With that, let’s look at some of our favorite cancer-fighting foods.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Consciousness

Eating for Health is more than a dietary program. It’s a way of thinking, feeling, and
living that emphasizes a return to more traditional, whole foods, eaten mindfully
and with the intention to feed and nourish the body while communicating a gentle,
peaceful message to your genes and DNA. It’s a return to nature for nourishment.

Last Word

For me, my cancer diagnosis was a call to action, an invitation to examine my
daily habits and make changes for the better. I learned that true healing
happens one bite at a time, one sip at a time, one breath at a time, with an
attitude of gratitude for the chance to share love and live with purpose. By
embracing the principles of Eating for Health, I feel that I have learned how to
live well by eating well.
—Debbie M., breast cancer survivor